University Diploma in Optical Coherence Tomography Interpretation Course Map

Module Code: HS5406

Module Tutor: Dr. Vidya Pulpa

School: School of Health and Social Care

CAT Points: 30

Level of Study: 5

Brief Description:

This module aims to provide the student with a detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the eye which is required for correct interpretation of OCT scans.

This module will cover the applied anatomy of the normal eye and emphasise differences found in hypermetropic and myopic eyes. Common anterior and posterior segment abnormalities will be presented.

Indicative Syllabus:

Students who successfully complete the module will be able to apply a systematic approach required for interpretation of OCT scans.

Students will be able to identify the type of scan and describe the features present. They will also demonstrate an understanding of how the use of OCT scans relates to clinical diagnosis and the treatment of eye conditions in Ophthalmology

Scan quality measures, normal variation, and or relating to refractive variation and common errors (e.g. segmentation and measurement errors) of OCT scanning equipment will be presented to assist in preventing misinterpretation of OCT scans

The learning will be directed so students develop a high level of knowledge and understanding of some common abnormalities seen in clinical practice, which support the requirements for effective and relevant clinical OCT interpretation.

The student will be expected to analyse their own performance and show this has developed their management of clinical outcomes.

Understand common OCT referral thresholds from primary care to the hospital eye service

Learning Outcomes:

A student passing this module should be able to:

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the anatomical structures of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye
• Recognise the different types of OCT scans and evaluate their effectiveness in identifying ocular abnormalities.
• Identify and examine segmentation and measurement errors and determine how these can be managed to prevent misinterpretation of OCT scans.
• Analyse their own performance and use feedback to improve personal development in the management of clinical outcomes

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Scheduled learning and teaching activities: 300 hours

Teaching: 48 hours

Practice based learning: 192 hours

Guided independent study: 60 hours

Assessment (for further details see the Module Guide):

001: 75% Coursework: individual, portfolio
002: 25% Coursework: group, other

Special Assessment Requirements: A pass is required in all elements to pass the module

Indicative Resources: The current reading list can be found in the Module Guide.

Module Code: HS5407

Module Tutor: Dr. Nitin Anand

School: School of Health and Social Care

CAT Points: 30

Level of Study: 5

Brief Description:

This module focuses on OCT interpretation in chronic simple glaucoma, with the aim of understanding glaucoma diagnosis and progression, and how OCT scans can be used in treatment.

The advantages and disadvantage of OCT for glaucoma will be covered and how OCT research and development is related to diagnosis and progression.

The module will consider how better analysis of OCT scans can be used to diagnose and manage glaucoma in clinical practice.

Indicative Syllabus:

The student will be able to identify and interpret specific features found in OCT scans relating to chronic simple glaucoma and they will:

• Interpret posterior and anterior chamber OCT scans for glaucoma diagnosis and progression considering any correlation with visual field abnormalities
• Understand the strengths and weaknesses of OCT for glaucoma.
• Explore research that is available for OCT in Glaucoma treatment related to diagnosis and progression.
• Use OCT analysis in clinical practice for the diagnosis and management of chronic simple glaucoma.
• Interpret progression (trend and event analyses) with knowledge of the ‘Floor effect’
• Understand common OCT referral thresholds from primary care to the hospital eye service

 

Particular reference will be made to the three main parameters relevant to the detection of glaucomatous loss:

1. Retinal nerve fibre layer,
2. Optic nerve head,
3. The “ganglion cell complex”.

 

Learning Outcomes

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Interpret OCT scans that are used in detecting and monitoring glaucoma, including the three main parameters relevant to the detection of glaucomatous loss
2. Identify and evaluate the limitations of OCT measurements in the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic simple glaucoma, including sources of misinterpretation.
3. Interpret progression (trend and event analyses) with knowledge of the ‘Floor effect’
4. Assess circumstances in which there is a correlation of OCT with any visual field abnormalities
5. Analyse and evaluate research and apply this to practice in relation to the use of OCT in Glaucoma

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Scheduled learning and teaching activities: 300 hours

Teaching: 48 hours

Practice based learning: 192 hours

Guided independent study: 60 hours

Assessment (for further details see the Module Guide):

001: 75% Written exam – in class, multiple choice – 45 minutes
002: 25% Coursework: individual presentation – 15 minutes

Special Assessment Requirements: A pass is required in all elements to pass the module

Indicative Resources: The current reading list can be found in the Module Guide.

Module Code: HS5408

Module Tutor: Dr. Emily Fletcher

School: School of Health and Social Care

CAT Points: 15

Level of Study: 5

Brief Description:

This module focuses on OCT interpretation in the following clinical conditions;

1. Retinal Vascular Disorders
2. Uveitis

 

Indicative Syllabus:

Students will analyse OCT scans obtained in patients with Retinal Vascular disorders and Uveitis and will consider how interpretation of these scans can be used to diagnose and manage outcomes in clinical practice.

Understand common OCT referral thresholds from primary care to the hospital eye service

Learning Outcomes

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the features of clinical disease and common abnormalities detected from OCT scans in the specific conditions and interpret these to provide and evaluate treatment options
2. Undertake complex performance tasks to correctly interpret these specific clinical conditions
3. Critically evaluate and interpret a range of information from peer review literature, comparing alternative methods and techniques

 

Learning and Teaching Activities:

Scheduled learning and teaching activities: 150 hours

Teaching: 24 hours

Practice based learning: 96 hours

Guided independent study: 30 hours

Assessment (for further details see the Module Guide):

001: 100% Written exam – in class, multiple choice – 45 minutes

Special Assessment Requirements: None

Indicative Resources: The current reading list can be found in the Module Guide.

Module Code: HS5409

Module Tutor: Dr. Quresh Mohamed

School: School of Health and Social Care

CAT Points: 15

Level of Study: 5

Brief Description: This module focuses on OCT interpretation in the following clinical conditions;

1. Age Related Macular Degeneration
2. Conditions affecting the Vitreo-Macular interface
3. Conditions affecting the retinal pigment epithelium
4. Conditions affecting the choroid

 

Indicative Syllabus:

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to apply a detailed knowledge to interpreting OCT scans obtained in patients with age related macular degeneration and conditions affecting the vitreo-macular interface, the retinal pigment epithelium, and the choroid and will consider how interpretation of these scans can be used to diagnose and manage outcomes in clinical practice. Understand common OCT referral thresholds from primary care to the hospital eye service

The student will be expected to apply current research to clinical practice, critically evaluating their own understanding of that knowledge base

Learning Outcomes

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the features of clinical disease and common abnormalities detected from OCT scans in specific conditions and interpret these to provide and evaluate treatment options
2. Analyse different ideas and concepts and recognise how these can be used in interpreting differences in current and previous OCT scans and the reasons for these.
3. Operate in situations of varying complexity and predictability requiring the application of a wide range of techniques and information sources to interpret OCT scans
4. Critically evaluate and interpret a range of information from peer review literature, comparing alternative methods and techniques.

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Scheduled learning and teaching activities: 150 hours

Teaching: 24 hours

Practice based learning: 96 hours

Guided independent study: 30 hours

Assessment (for further details see the Module Guide):

001: 100% Written exam – in class, multiple choice – 45 minutes

Special Assessment Requirements: None

Indicative Resources: The current reading list can be found in the Module Guide.

Module Code: HS5410

Module Tutor: Dr. Christine Kiire

School: School of Health and Social Care

CAT Points: 15

Level of Study: 5

Brief Description:

This module is on the use of OCT in diabetic eye disease, with a particular focus on the diagnosis and monitoring diabetic macular oedema and its treatment, including the use of OCT in surveillance (virtual) clinics.

A systematic approach for interpretation of OCT scans will be presented to enable interpretation of OCT scans to diagnose and manage outcomes in clinical practice

Indicative Syllabus:

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to apply a detailed knowledge to interpreting OCT scans obtained in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The student will be able to identify and interpret specific features found in OCT scans in patients with screen positive diabetic maculopathy, diabetic macular oedema and other features of diabetic retinopathy. The student will be expected to apply current research to clinical practice, critically evaluating their own understanding of that knowledge base.

Learning Outcomes:

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the features of clinical disease and common abnormalities detected from OCT scans in diabetic retinopathy and interpret these to provide and evaluate treatment options.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of different lesions and abnormalities and the reasons for these and recognise how these can be used in interpreting differences in current and previous OCT scans
3. Operate in situations of varying complexity and demonstrate the ability to understand the patient management pathways that might be followed based on interpretation of the OCT scans in combination with the digital colour images
4. Critically evaluate and interpret a range of information from peer review literature, comparing alternative methods and techniques.

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Scheduled learning and teaching activities: 150 hours

Teaching: 24 hours

Practice based learning: 96 hours

Guided independent study: 30 hours

Assessment (for further details see the Module Guide):

001: 100% Written exam – in class, multiple choice – 45 minutes

Special Assessment Requirements: None

Indicative Resources: The current reading list can be found in the Module Guide.

Module Code: HS5411

Module Tutor: Dr. Christine Kiire

School: School of Health and Social Care

CAT Points: 15

Level of Study: 5

Brief Description:

This module aims to provide an understanding of OCT interpretation in inherited eye disorders in children up to the age of 16 years, and to provide an understanding OCT interpretation in other ocular conditions that may affect infants and children, including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), trauma, retinal dysplasia, infantile nystagmus, intraocular tumours and optic nerve pathology

The use of handheld Spectral domain OCT in children will also be covered.

Indicative Syllabus:

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to interpret OCTs in the following inherited eye conditions:

1. Stargardt's disease
2. Best disease
3. Retinitis Pigmentosa
4. Cone dystrophy
5. Retinoschisis

 

They will also have an understanding of normal variations in infants and young children and will be able to interpret OCT scans in the commonest conditions in the following subgroups in this age group:

1. ROP
2. Non-accidental Injury or Trauma
3. Ocular Oncology
4. Optic Nerve Pathology

 

The student will be expected to apply current research to clinical practice, critically evaluating their own understanding of that knowledge base

Learning Outcomes

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Assess the indications for performing OCT scans in infants and children and identify the challenges in capturing OCT scans in these patients including:
   - Age specific adjustments
   - Handheld SDOCT
   - Environment/Communication
2. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the features of common inherited retinal disorders detected from OCT scans in the specific conditions
3. Identify and understand the normal variations in infants and young children so they can interpret OCT scans in specific conditions

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Scheduled learning and teaching activities: 150 hours

Teaching: 24 hours

Practice based learning: 96 hours

Guided independent study: 30 hours

Assessment (for further details see the Module Guide):

001: 100% Written exam – in class, multiple choice – 45 minutes

Special Assessment Requirements: None

Indicative Resources: The current reading list can be found in the Module Guide.

Module Code: HS5412

Module Tutor: Professor. Peter Scanlon

School: School of Health and Social Care

CAT Points: 15

Level of Study: 5

Brief Description:

This module focuses on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) which is a new non-invasive imaging technique that allows for detection of blood flow and three-dimensional reconstruction of blood vessels between consecutive OCT B-scans using a technique called ‘signal decorrelation’. Blood vessels are not mobile and hence repeated B-Scans of blood vessels are identical. However, erythrocytes are mobile within the vasculature and hence cause backscattering of the OCT signal intensity or amplitude which manifests as differences on repeated OCT B-scans. This technique produces images that can be useful in diagnosis of certain retinal and optic nerve conditions and their complications.

Indicative Syllabus:

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to evaluate the potential efficacy and limitations of OCTA in normal eyes and in common ophthalmologic diseases such as:

1. Age related macular degeneration (AMD),
2. Diabetic retinopathy,
3. Other vascular conditions - artery and vein occlusions and macular telangiectasia,
4. Glaucoma

 

Learning Outcomes

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Assess and interpret the structural integrity and changes that occur in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses in diabetic retinopathy, artery and vein occlusions and macular telangiectasia.
2.  Interpret OCTA scans in wet macular degeneration to determine the location of the CNV, its morphology and its response to anti-VEGF therapy.
3. Assess the potential benefits and limitation of the use of OCTA scans in Glaucoma
4. Analyse the advantages and limitations of OCTA angiography in comparison to fluorescein angiography and recognise the artefacts produced in both systems

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Scheduled learning and teaching activities: 150 hours

Teaching: 24 hours

Practice based learning: 96 hours

Guided independent study: 30 hours

Assessment (for further details see the Module Guide):

001: 100% Written exam – in class, multiple choice – 45 minutes

Special Assessment Requirements: None

Indicative Resources: The current reading list can be found in the Module Guide.

Module Code: HS5414

Module Tutor: Professor. Peter Scanlon

School: School of Health and Social Care

CAT Points: 15

Level of Study: 5

Brief Description:

This module focuses on OCT interpretation in Neuro-ophthalmology which will include:

1. The most useful OCT parameters in the management of neuro-ophthalmology conditions
2. OCT in multiple sclerosis and demyelinating optic neuritis, Alzheimer`s, Parkinson`s disease and pituitary adenoma
3. OCT in differential diagnosis of papilloedema and pseudo-papilloedema
4. The limitations of OCT in neuro-ophthalmology conditions

 

Indicative Syllabus:

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to apply a detailed knowledge to interpreting OCT scans in neuro-ophthalmology conditions.

The student will be able to identify and interpret specific features found in OCT scans relating to these specific clinical conditions. They will assess how recent OCT scans compare to previous OCT scans and may affect the course of treatment decisions.

The student will be expected to apply current research to clinical practice, critically evaluating their own understanding of that knowledge base

Learning Outcomes

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the most useful OCT parameters in the management of neuro-ophthalmology conditions
2. Analyse how OCT can be used in multiple sclerosis, demyelinating optic neuritis, Alzheimer`s, Parkinson`s disease and pituitary adenoma.
3. Interpret OCT scans in the differential diagnosis of papilloedema and pseudo-papilloedema
4. Comparing alternative methods and techniques for monitoring idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Scheduled learning and teaching activities: 150 hours

Teaching: 24 hours

Practice based learning: 96 hours

Guided independent study: 30 hours

Assessment (for further details see the Module Guide):

001: 100% Written exam – in class, multiple choice – 45 minutes

Special Assessment Requirements: None

Indicative Resources: The current reading list can be found in the Module Guide.